Welcome to STARFISH DESIGNS! I hope you enjoy browsing ideas and inspirations for your home and your life! I love all things French! Everyday is a special day....enjoy your life and the gifts that God has given you!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Beautiful Joy.....

The gifts of the season....fresh tulips!

Several years ago we were living near an area where The Passion Play was performed professionally and whole-heartily in a beautiful outdoor setting. It always amazed me each time we went how the actors were portraying with JOY their beliefs. I often wondered where they all came from because there were at least two hundred actors. It was really beautiful and always touched my heart deeply. I know these actors were acting but many of them were acting out what they truly believed. They brought the JOY of The Lord into their profession. Another time, two years ago while in a small village in France on Palm Sunday I witnessed something similar. The Believers in the village were walking to church, each one of them carrying branches or bouquets of lavender bundled together beautifully. I was amazed at how many people were attending worship. The church was in the center of the village. People of all ages which included sweet children who were carrying their bundles of lavender. These villagers possessed JOY! It was beautiful to behold. Afterwards, my daughter and I saw how they had placed their lavender bouquets under the railing going up the steps to the sanctuary. It is a picture forever etched in my mind.

These are memory banks tucked away, and even now encourage me as I think about the blessings of other Believers that God has allowed in my life. I hope you have people in your life who point you to Jesus and show you the JOY that can be found in knowing HIM and worshipping HIM! He is JOY! Full Joy!

A quote by author Dallas Willard confirms this....... "Having one's joy "full" means there is no room for more of it. Full joy is our first line of defense against weakness, failure and disease of mind and body. But even when these break through in our life, "the joy of The Lord is our strength".

In our daily lives, I think most of us desire to impart JOY! Joy for me begins in preparing my heart and my home for those who will share Easter with me. Even a simple breakfast table setting like the ones above can be brought before God with blessing and JOY! Bring what gifts God has given you to Him and He will receive them and make something beautiful out of your life! Blessings of JOY to you my friend!

~St. Remy de Provence, Palm Sunday 2011~

Just inside these doors.....the lavender was placed along the railing!

Spring and Your Skin

It's never too late to start taking care of your skin. Prevention and maintenance is the key. Use sunscreen, get plenty of rest, hydration is important, use moisturizer and pay attention to your overall health. Take care of that youthful appearance! Your skin "wears" your life, so make sure you treat it well!

Linens and Monograms

Marking linens is an age-old tradition, but in 19th century Europe, it became all the rage as the middle class began adapting the heraldry and crest of aristocracy. Women in preparation for marriage, embroidered their initials on everything from dish towels to tablecloths. Antique linens are not only beautiful, they also are very much in demand!

Coco Chanel and her inspiration.......

"How many cares one loses, when one decides not to be something, but to be someone." Coco Chanel

Pearls from Heaven by Mary Grace Birkhead

YOU CAN REST! Psalm 55:22 "You don't need to carry a burden. He wants you to have a light load. Take every thought captive. Hold each worry up to His light. He is able to lift the weight off you. Cast your cares on Him. He cares for you! So unpack your heavy bags and rest!"

A Collection of White Dishes~always!!!

You are not alone....

Do not be discouraged or afraid, even in times of trial. Instead live in peace and joy, trusting that God will take care of you.

Island Wisdom from Island Life by India Hicks

"Island time has a special speed to it. No hurry, no worry. Sundays are a special time. Taking the time to go to church and to be with The Lord. Miss Curlene says tell it to Jesus and your mind is better, keep calling on the Lord and you relax anytime."

Prayer

"O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night..... Nehemiah 1:5 First pray, then seek ways to help those who need you in their lives. Your home can be the very dwelling place of God! Now that is a beautiful and lovely home dear friend!

Welcome

I have always loved to create things of beauty that bring joy and happiness to others. My greatest inspiration comes from seeing my four daughters and my son live their lives in creative and productive ways. A positive outlook on life and a gracious spirit is the greatest energy found in a home or apartment. Enjoy browsing!!

Words to live by.....

Avignon, France

Words and Widsom from Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"It is a difficult lesson to learn today--to leave one's friends and family and deliberately practice the art of solitude for an hour or a day or a week. For me, the break is the most difficult. Parting is inevitably painful, even for a short time. It is like an amputation, I feel. A limb is being torn off, without which I shall be unable to function. And yet, once it is done, I find there is a quality to being alone that is incredibly precious. Life rushes back into the void, richer, more vivid, fuller than before. It is as if parting one did actually lose an arm. And then, like the star-fish, one grows it anew; one is whole again, complete and round--more whole, even than before"